A university hospital in Germany fired a surgeon after it came to light that he had asked a cleaner for help with a toe amputation in 2020. News of the incident in Mainz, western Germany, first arose after a manager saw a hospital cleaner in the operating room with blood-stained pads, the Mainzer Allgemeine Zeitung daily reported on Friday.
The hospital’s chief executive, Norbert Pfeiffer, said it was a “routine” procedure., which was often performed by a surgeon, according to the DPA news agency. He made it clear that the surgeon could have easily obtained the support of qualified colleagues if necessary. Pfeiffer added that the operation took place around 3:30 p.m., when many doctors were still on hand to help.
The Allgemeine Zeitung reported that while the patient was under local anesthesia, he became “agitated”, at which point the surgeon called for support. Although the patient did not suffer any complications from the procedure, officials said the doctor erred in asking an unqualified assistant for help. “This shouldn’t have happened,” Pfeiffer said.
After consultation with the Allgemeine Zeitung, The hospital said it believed the cleaner had taken a “more active role” in the procedure than had been initially thought.and the cleaner was suspected of holding the patient’s leg in place and passing surgical instruments to the surgeon.
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